From all his experience of changing schools and colleges to building organisations, Gautam Rao has well understood the power of human emotions. It was this fascination with people and their stories that drew him towards HR. During his academic years, he was quite intrigued by the stories of world-class leaders and organisations. He also came to understand that books and knowledge can have an impact beyond the syllabus. After 17 years of experience with best-in-class organisations such as Unison International, Walmart India, Bausch and Lomb and Max Life, Rao is no longer just an audience for a story, but considers himself lucky to have been and continue to be a part of many interesting ones!
THE CHAT
As a ‘rising star’ in your organisation, what do you believe sets you apart from your peers?
GAUTAM RAO I feel, an intent to stay ahead of or stand apart from peers hampers the collaborative spirit. Therefore, I prefer to cherish the lessons I have learnt from my peers and my team. Of course, I do possess some innate strengths, and I keep them centre stage. The three elements that have been the protagonists in my professional story are: being strategic in my approach, demonstrating speed while solving problems and nurturing meaningful relationships with stakeholders and customers. These have helped me create immense value for myself and for the enterprise.
What should young HR professionals do to stay relevant?
GAUTAM RAO Be a master of the fine print. Don’t play at the surface; get to the core of the subject. Ever seen an artist’s painting? The artist knows exactly where each stroke of the brush and each shade of colour have to go. He or she will never lift the canvas off the stand unless the art is 100 per cent ready.
Treat your work as a piece of art. Be so immersed in it that no one else can do it better than you. Title, level and compensation can be distractors in the early stages of a career. The only focus should be on learning and subject-matter expertise. Everything will follow once you are fully baked. Most importantly, never get emotional or defensive when constructive feedback comes your way. Remember, that feedback is your colour palette!
After being nominated as a ‘rising star’, what’s next? Where do you see yourself five to seven years from now?
GAUTAM RAO I am still in the phase of enjoying my journey. The ultimate destination is to be a CHRO, and thereafter, a CEO. When the time is right, things will fall into place. Till then, my focus is on strengthening my mettle even further and being an inspirational leader.
What the CHRO says
Rao is an individual with a genuine thirst for knowledge, always eager to expand his understanding and skills. He consistently demonstrates a remarkable level of customer orientation and fosters an environment of collaboration
and trust.
Rao understands the importance of consistently delivering exceptional results. Therefore, he goes the extra mile to ensure that his clients not only achieve their goals but also experience tangible benefits from their association with him. Rao’s dedication to providing ongoing value sets him apart as a true asset to his clients’ success.
As a dependable HR professional, Rao possesses a remarkable combination of ambition for success and a lively spirit in the workplace!
